More cherished by UK fans: Sir Henry "Our 'Enry" Cooper or Franklin Roy "True Brit" Bruno?

Some of the younger fans do.

Incredible

 

Ridiculous. People have short memories. I saw a post on Facebook from some fan site claiming KDB was better than Zidane based on statistics

 

Good point. Henry was a real popular character, and It wasn’t uncommon to see him on tv shows. Anyone remember the Brut adverts? Henry also fought the greatest, Ali.

 

I genuinely think this debate is generational.

Henry was beloved by an older demographic, that of Saturday afternoon wrestling, Brut adverts, the narrow loss to Joe Bugner, dripping on toast, post war austerity etc etc, whereas Bruno transcended a whole raft of people, from the kid in the street, to royalty, to the pantomime goer.

Cooper was considered less of a loveable loser, as he was a capable heavy in and around the world scene for years, but despite a left hook that could drop Conan the Barbarian, he also had a chin of Rosenthal porcelain, and skin that cut at the lacing up of the gloves.


Bruno's weaknesses were well known, but he never quit, and despite the losses, his popularity never faded, you just wanted him , just once to win one of the big ones.

And eventually, he did.

He still gets a massive cheer at events even now.


AJ should look at Bruno whenever he utters the word "humble".

 

It's definitely a generational thing.

Cooper was, like various others of his day, a sporting celebrity. The type who was known for sport, and as a sportsman, despite living a decent life in business after his career. Never put a foot wrong and was still advertising flu jabs until not that long ago, with his 'ammer sporting a plaster. If you were born before the 80s you'd know fine who he was. He was seemingly never fairly beaten - whether it was cuts against Ali or the judging against Bugner, you kind of sympathised even if you didn't enjoy him. And of course he knocked Ali flat. His losses always seemed the humble guy, head bowed, being led away without too much complaint.

Bruno was different. He was vulnerable like Amir Khan is, he was a TV celebrity in a different age where dressing for pantomime, or doing crazy golf on the Sports Review of the Year were the modern way to get famous. Where people 10 years prior, like Conteh or Minter, would go on Superstars to prove they were proper athletes, Bruno was the plucky loser who would knock someone out on Sportsnight then come up short in prime time on Saturday. Then he'd be on breakfast TV sofas the following Monday with his shades on. And let's not forget he's had his demons along the way too, far beyond the troubles that made Tyson Fury famous.

They're like chalk and cheese and although Bruno was probably the more famous celebrity, Cooper was easily the more famous sportsman. Dare I say it, the better man. It's hard to say who's the most cherished while only one is still with us.

 

Interesting post, some good points made.

I think Bruno's handlers did a good job with him being able to transcend the sport, and be beloved of everyone, including your nan.


Cooper most certainly was beaten properly, on several occasions, Zora Foley flattened him in 2, and a faded Floyd Patterson iced him in a few rounds, some , of not most of his TKO losses were however through cuts.


Good post though brother